GOALS AND BACKGROUND: Besides United States population born between 1945 and 1965, screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not recommended for the general US population. However, HCV may be more prevalent in certain subgroups and screening may be warranted. The goal of this study was to examine the proportion of HCV in a large sample of community Asian American patients presenting for non-liver-related complaints. STUDY: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1246 patients tested for hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) referred to 2 gastroenterology clinics for non-liver-related gastrointestinal reasons between January 2001 and February 2011. We determined HCV status and patient history via electronic medical record review. RESULTS: Of the 1246 study patients tested for anti-HCV, the majority were Asian (81.4%) and 29 Asian patients (2.9%) had positive anti-HCV. HCV proportion in the remaining 232 non-Asians (non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics) was 1.7%. Asians with positive anti-HCV were more likely to have had blood transfusions (31.0% vs. 6.6%, P<0.0001) or acupuncture (10.3% vs. 1.5%, P<0.0001). Of the 976 Asian patients with hepatitis B surface antigen testing, 38 (3.9%) also had detectable hepatitis B surface antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients seen at community gastroenterology clinics for non-liver-related reasons, HCV proportion was 1.7% for non-Asians and 2.9% for Asians. Screening for HCV should be offered to high-risk patients presenting to gastroenterology clinics with unrelated gastrointestinal complaints.
GOALS AND BACKGROUND: Besides United States population born between 1945 and 1965, screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not recommended for the general US population. However, HCV may be more prevalent in certain subgroups and screening may be warranted. The goal of this study was to examine the proportion of HCV in a large sample of community Asian American patients presenting for non-liver-related complaints. STUDY: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1246 patients tested for hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) referred to 2 gastroenterology clinics for non-liver-related gastrointestinal reasons between January 2001 and February 2011. We determined HCV status and patient history via electronic medical record review. RESULTS: Of the 1246 study patients tested for anti-HCV, the majority were Asian (81.4%) and 29 Asian patients (2.9%) had positive anti-HCV. HCV proportion in the remaining 232 non-Asians (non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics) was 1.7%. Asians with positive anti-HCV were more likely to have had blood transfusions (31.0% vs. 6.6%, P<0.0001) or acupuncture (10.3% vs. 1.5%, P<0.0001). Of the 976 Asian patients with hepatitis B surface antigen testing, 38 (3.9%) also had detectable hepatitis B surface antigen. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients seen at community gastroenterology clinics for non-liver-related reasons, HCV proportion was 1.7% for non-Asians and 2.9% for Asians. Screening for HCV should be offered to high-risk patients presenting to gastroenterology clinics with unrelated gastrointestinal complaints.
Authors: Mei-Hsuan Lee; Tiffany I Hsiao; Shreenidhi R Subramaniam; An K Le; Vinh D Vu; Huy N Trinh; Jian Zhang; Mingjuan Jin; Vincent Wai-Sun Wong; Grace Lai-Hung Wong; Mindie H Nguyen Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2017-04-25 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: Andrew A Li; Donghee Kim; Won Kim; Pratima Dibba; Katherine Wong; George Cholankeril; Ira M Jacobson; Zobair M Younossi; Aijaz Ahmed Journal: J Viral Hepat Date: 2018-09-11 Impact factor: 3.728
Authors: Kevin C Kin; Brian Lin; Kevin T Chaung; Nghiem B Ha; Huy N Trinh; Ruel T Garcia; Huy A Nguyen; Khanh K Nguyen; Brian S Levitt; Eduardo B da Silveira; Mindie H Nguyen Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2013-10-01 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Maya R Ladenheim; Nathan G Kim; Pauline Nguyen; An Le; Marcia L Stefanick; Gabriel Garcia; Mindie H Nguyen Journal: BMJ Open Gastroenterol Date: 2016-07-25
Authors: Alice W Lee; Wura Jacobs; Michelle Tran; Becky Nguyen; Dung N Hua; John N Ho; Thai Van Nguyen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-27 Impact factor: 3.752